Gidget Fraser

This is exactly what the title says: the best and easiest baked beans you’ll ever make. Guaranteed to be most popular side dish at the BBQ. There might be tastier recipes out there that require overnight soaking of beans, or make-your-own-BBQ-sauce-from-scratch, but I still doubt it.

Cut bacon into quarters and fry in a large/deep frying pan (or a pot) until bacon is mostly cooked, still rubbery. Remove bacon and set aside.

In the same pot of bacon fat add the vegetables and saute until just tender, about 5 min.

Add BBQ sauce, sugar, vinegar, and mustard to the pan of vegetables. Stir to combine.

Add the cans of pork and beans. Stir to combine. Bring just to a simmer. Remove from heat. Stir in the partially cooked bacon.

Transfer to a 13 X 9 ovenproof casserole dish (or similar). A large deep-dish cast-iron pan or a cast-iron dutch oven (with the lid off) will also work (and makes it look really sexy!). Cook uncovered for 2 hours or until the mixture is bubbly and thick.

*Sweet Baby Rays doesn’t pay me to say this. I recommend their original sauce because its the best combination of heat and sweet while being soy-free. Besides, too many BBQ sauces contain soy sauce, which I’m allergic to.